Waka Waka Wings sound like something that would be on the menu at Chotchkie's.

^^^^^^^
I don't think so. Read the last two sentences of his post.

Actually Yes, that's what I was trying to say, that everyone thinks THEY are professionals in branding. As someone who has 10+ years experience in Marketing, I'm the first to say that even the professionals aren't always professionals. If I've learned anything during by venture with FlashBack is that you have to stay true to yourself and your vision. If I listened to every single bit of "professional" advise that is given to me I would probably still be looking for a place to open up my business.

And yes I do believe that sometimes owners have to figure things out on their own for better or worse. By no means am I saying figure out how to do plumbing, electrical and building a bar on your own. Although I did build our bar and the casing for the cassette tapes and I've never been known as a carpenter. But sometimes you have to figure out details like beer, liquor and wine selections on your own. What type of chairs and tables and lights you want. Those intricate details that make your business yours.

There's a ton of pride on the line, for someone that is opening their own business. Sometimes professional advise regardless of how great it might be falls on deaf ears and to me that's part of the learning process in owning your own business. As my business partner told me when we faced all the obstacles we faced trying to open this place up "If it was easy, everyone would do it". So that's why I've taken the stance that if I'm going to fail, I'm going to fail with my ideas, serving the beer I want, in the location I wanted to be in. Not someone else's ideas, for better or worse.

A noble idea...yet critically flawed if someone doesn't grasp marketing, design, aesthetics. And many don't. You're fortunate enough to seem to have a feel for it.

But one if the greatest traits of a successful businessperson is to recognize where they have strengths and where they have weaknesses, and to seek out help and advice with the latter. Not every business lesson need be paid for with failure.

You don't have to be the smartest person in the room, but you do need a good Rolodex.

I miss my Pops, but I've never forgotten that bit of advice, and never will. It has served me well over the years.

For younglings, a Rolodex is a hard copy contacts list, with information on slotted paper cards that fit on a wheel.
Very useful in its time, and way cooler than it sounds.

I've been here twice now. Once I got over the over use of the letter Z in their menu and branding, I, along with a couple of friends, found that we have really come to enjoy this place. Both times, a Thunder game was on, so there was a pretty decent crowd seated in the bar area. The food and beer selection is excellent. I got the burger with avocado (can't remember the actual name), and it was really really good. Chef Vuong even came out and greeted/chatted us up for a while. He's a friendly dude and a hard worker. He mentioned that he starts his day out at Bonjour around 5am and comes straight to Gigglez after lunch time and works until 11pm-Midnight. I'll definitely be back!

I need to get by there -- thanks for the report.

They have some comedy shows booked now and I believe it's the only place in town you can see stand-up, other than the occasional concert venue booking.

Yeah after reading that Chef Vuong was behind the food here, it makes me want to give it a shot, despite the name. He was the genius behind the food at Guernsey Park, which we love. Place has changed a lot since he left but we still enjoy eating there.

I need to get by there -- thanks for the report.

They have some comedy shows booked now and I believe it's the only place in town you can see stand-up, other than the occasional concert venue booking.

The Looney Bin

From their FB page:

Come on out and watch our upcoming comedy shows!!
Jan. 30, All Ladies Lineup, Sam Smiths Brewery will be there
Feb. 13, Singles show, COOP Ale Works will be there
Feb. 14, Couples Valentine's Day show

I need to get by there -- thanks for the report.

They have some comedy shows booked now and I believe it's the only place in town you can see stand-up, other than the occasional concert venue booking.

Loony Bin has been around quite awhile.... McSalty's was having some shows occasionally too for awhile. Not sure if they still are.

Chef Vuong is awesome! Not entirely unrelated, ate at Bonjour today

It was a slow-ish night on the non-bar side of Gigglez last night and Chef Vuong and I have a number of mutual friends (he's the cousin of an ex). We talked for probably an hour and he basically told me his entire (chef) life story. Such a good dude.

They just submitted plans to put an outdoor patio along Walker and erect a shade pergola as well.

I just drove by and saw 2 cars + 2 people inside around 11:30 on a Saturday...yeouch.

More details on their patio:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/gigglez041216.jpg

Apparently even they think the Z on the end is silly. :Smiley122

I went again last night, and Marty and his wife told me that they are going to have Pho on Thursdays. They also installed some games in the dining area, including karaoke, which was a hit last weekend. The patio looks to be complete, and brunch is now served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10-2.

I would probably go if it weren't called gigglez...

I ate here for lunch earlier this week. I'll echo some of the other comments about the name of the menu items being a little cheesy, but the food and service was actually pretty good. I'll probably eat there again.

I'll try and give it a go next week. Trust in Vuong.

I went there again yesterday afternoon. They have updated the menu and are now using diner book covers. The item names have not changed and are still a little cheesy.

The food was great along with the service. The place was relatively full with people eating and watching baseball/basketball/hockey. Once again I was really pleased with my experience. I just wish the name wasn't Gigglez.

I went there again yesterday afternoon. They have updated the menu and are now using diner book covers. The item names have not changed and are still a little cheesy.

The food was great along with the service. The place was relatively full with people eating and watching baseball/basketball/hockey. Once again I was really pleased with my experience. I just wish the name wasn't Gigglez.

Cheezy*

Cheezy*

Lol, good call Teo9969!

I mean, I GUESS it could be ironically cheezy...

This is a super cool thing they are doing:


Wednesday, November 23rd

Free Thanksgiving Dinner for all active duty and veteran military personnel with valid ID.

We will start at 11:00 am and serve until the food runs out. Donations will be accepted for the Special Operations Foundation. Gigglez Bar and Grill is veteran owned and operated.

1016 N Walker Ave, OKC 73102 On the East side of St. Anthony Hospital.

Please spread the word and post wherever possible. I hope some media or periodicals will get this and help our veterans get a meal on us. They deserve it.

I have been back a few times. They have started having Pho Thursdays and it is great. A lot of Asian food daily. Worth a try. And... There wings with the buffalo sauce are some of the best I have ever had.

Made it in tonight for the 1st time. Had a nice conversation with the owners. Very nice people. Everything we had was very good and we will definitely go back. Great beer selection too!

Made it in tonight for the 1st time. Had a nice conversation with the owners. Very nice people. Everything we had was very good and we will definitely go back. Great beer selection too!

I stopped there a month or two ago with a friend. The food really was excellent and the service was very good too. I enjoyed chatting it up with some people at the bar. But, there's just no way around it, this place will likely struggle without a name change.

I agree dankrutka. This place has good food and a good layout. The name is off-putting and prevents people from even trying it.

I personally have never stepped foot inside due to the name and lack of identity.

I've heard good things about the food but hard for me to imagine going to a sports bar and getting Pho or Boba Tea. Hopefully they find themselves soon.

Gigglez is just such a stupid/weird name.

Complete turn-off of a name. I am always game to check out the newest bar or food in town. However, I just can't bring myself spend time at a bar called "Gigglez." Even if it was a comedy club with stand-up every night of the week it is still an off-putting name. And that spelling, woof.

I question the owner's vision if he did not run the proposed name by people before moving forward. Just my 2 cents!

Those who choose not to go because of the name are missing out. I love getting boba tea and watching the Thunder (really I just love having a place that has it downtown). Sorry, but I do. Don't get me wrong, I hate the name. But I'm not missing out on the good stuff because of it.

The pho is just a weekly special made by the owner's wife. and it's *fantastic*.

Otherwise, the menu is pretty standard and they have a good beer selection in a very friendly setting.

I really like the place.

Maybe I will give it a try one day. All I know is I cant even look at their menu online without getting distracted by the terrible names and spelling(z).

I just find it odd to have burgers, pizza, and wings alongside Pho and Lo Mein. The same can be said about being a "bar" with a smoothie and tea station inside.

Once again, the food may be great but the concept and branding is so bad its turning away many more people than its attracting. I wouldn't dare ask my group of friend to meet me at Gigglez for happy hour, I'd be laughed away.

Maybe I will give it a try one day. All I know is I cant even look at their menu online without getting distracted by the terrible names and spelling(z).

I just find it odd to have burgers, pizza, and wings alongside Pho and Lo Mein. The same can be said about being a "bar" with a smoothie and tea station inside.

Once again, the food may be great but the concept and branding is so bad its turning away many more people than its attracting. I wouldn't dare ask my group of friend to meet me at Gigglez for happy hour, I'd be giggled away.

Fixed.

Those who choose not to go because of the name are missing out. I love getting boba tea and watching the Thunder (really I just love having a place that has it downtown). Sorry, but I do. Don't get me wrong, I hate the name. But I'm not missing out on the good stuff because of it.

^

Vuong had a hand in the menu so the American stuff is good, and they're Viet so the Viet stuff is good.

I went here yesterday with a big group. Several people that were with us had not been yet.

The service, beer selection and TV selection were on point as always. However, I noticed a difference in the food.

We ordered the chips, queso, salsa and guacamole as well as the Hot Nuts. The salsa was clearly Picante and the queso was just heated up Velveeta. The Hot Nuts now consist of mostly all peanuts. These are only two items, but the quality in these two items have clearly taken a dip.

Has anyone noticed this? I have been here several times and the food has always been good.

last time I went the food was as good as the first time, but that's not been since the world series...

That's good news. Well hopefully I ordered the only things on the menu that have decreased in quality.

Gigglez has been sold to James Vu (La Brasa) and Shyon Keoppel.

They will ultimately transform to a new concept but for now are operating with small changes and looking for feedback.

I've seen the preliminary plans and it looks very cool.

From James Vu's FB page:

"After many years of trying to collaborate, patience paid off. Both of us love to create new things. We are always looking at what we are currently doing and building on that. That's why it made sense for us to buy Gigglez. Gigglez will remain open for a short period of time and then it will close so we can bring you a brand new concept! We are excited to be a part of the OKC Midtown District community! So please leave your input below as we all come together to bring you the best food and beverage service possible! We have so much planned and can't wait to share it with our new midtown family! The acquisition will take place next Weekend. Please help us share this good news!!!!!"

No surprise there. It had zero identity and a weird name.

The food was always good though. I hope they keep the wings.

I met someone recently who moved here last summer and said this was their favorite place in OKC. I know a few other regulars who swear by it. It was just starting to find its niche with its clientele it seems, so I wish they would leave everything alone except the naming/branding (for a good while). But that's unlikely so it's effectively gone and won't resemble itself in the end, which is potentially bad for that space. It's had a tough enough time keeping a stable tenant. If people can't come to rely on that space having something good/worth their attention they're just never going to think about it, no matter what is there, short of something "world class" probably. Perhaps that will happen here but we'll see I guess.

^

I believe that is why James is being careful not just to shut it down and start tearing it apart.

But he has to implement his own vision and he has a lot of great ideas.

I really think this will end up being a success and the best thing for everyone involved, including the landlord and the current proprietors of Gigglez.

Gigglez has been sold to James Vu (La Brasa) and Shyon Keoppel.

They will ultimately transform to a new concept but for now are operating with small changes and looking for feedback.

I've seen the preliminary plans and it looks very cool.

From James Vu's FB page:

"After many years of trying to collaborate, patience paid off. Both of us love to create new things. We are always looking at what we are currently doing and building on that. That's why it made sense for us to buy Gigglez. Gigglez will remain open for a short period of time and then it will close so we can bring you a brand new concept! We are excited to be a part of the OKC Midtown District community! So please leave your input below as we all come together to bring you the best food and beverage service possible! We have so much planned and can't wait to share it with our new midtown family! The acquisition will take place next Weekend. Please help us share this good news!!!!!"

I could see a name change and some minor tweaks, but based on the experiences' of others, does it really need to be an entirely brand new concept?

Also, who did they buy Gigglez from?

I met someone recently who moved here last summer and said this was their favorite place in OKC. I know a few other regulars who swear by it. It was just starting to find its niche with its clientele it seems, so I wish they would leave everything alone except the naming/branding (for a good while). But that's unlikely so it's effectively gone and won't resemble itself in the end, which is potentially bad for that space. It's had a tough enough time keeping a stable tenant. If people can't come to rely on that space having something good/worth their attention they're just never going to think about it, no matter what is there, short of something "world class" probably. Perhaps that will happen here but we'll see I guess.

I liked the place and food when I stopped in, but I felt like it lacked an identity that went beyond the naming issues.

I could see a name change and some minor tweaks, but based on the experiences' of others, does it really need to be an entirely brand new concept?

Also, who did they buy Gigglez from?

The guy that owned it was named Marty, and his wife. Didn't look at their website today, but it has an about us section with names.

New menu starting today. Complete re-branding should be announced soon:

https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16507920_10158301337635171_5877909837640494943_n.j pg?oh=a9ef914e8376d5aec606f7970625b897&oe=5944D06F

New menu starting today. Complete re-branding should be announced soon:

https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16507920_10158301337635171_5877909837640494943_n.j pg?oh=a9ef914e8376d5aec606f7970625b897&oe=5944D06F

So much easier to read without all the Zs

I wish they would have kept the Buttery Buffalo sauce for their wings.

So much EZr to read without all the Zs

Sorry you had a typo.

Sorry you had a typo.
:p

Just left Shyon and James at Gigglez.. They have already began updating all the A/V and backbar and are moving new furniture and fixtures in. Vuong Nguyen formerly of Bonjour and Gurnsey is running the kitchen so the food will be great. Im excited about the new concept.

Just left Shyon and James at Gigglez.. They have already began updating all the A/V and backbar and are moving new furniture and fixtures in. Vuong Nguyen formerly of Bonjour and Gurnsey is running the kitchen so the food will be great. Im excited about the new concept.

GTK about Vuong in the kitchen, he set them up originally, I believe, and I guess he's got time before Melange is ready to open. Menu doesn't really make me want to visit there, though, seems pretty standard, but with him behind it, it'll probably be pretty tasty.

GTK about Vuong in the kitchen, he set them up originally, I believe, and I guess he's got time before Melange is ready to open. Menu doesn't really make me want to visit there, though, seems pretty standard, but with him behind it, it'll probably be pretty tasty.

This. The menu doesn't excite, but with Vuong there I'll support. Silly names or not the old menu looked better to me.

This. The menu doesn't excite, but with Vuong there I'll support. Silly names or not the old menu looked better to me.

Since Pete said that a complete rebranding is coming soon but that they didn't want to completely close down while doing it... I'm assuming the basic menu is temporary.

Since Pete said that a complete rebranding is coming soon but that they didn't want to completely close down while doing it... I'm assuming the basic menu is temporary.

I believe that is true.

Went to Gigglez last night. Had a chat with Vuong, Melange is dead since the area it was supposed to be in is still not up. I think he mentioned street food? Menu is temporary. Had the spicy turkey sandwich, and it wasn't bad. Nachos looked like good value too. Currently also open for lunch.

Went to Gigglez last night. Had a chat with Vuong, Melange is dead since the area it was supposed to be in is still not up. I think he mentioned street food? Menu is temporary. Had the spicy turkey sandwich, and it wasn't bad. Nachos looked like good value too. Currently also open for lunch.

Well, that sucks about Melange, but he'll probably land on his feet, dude's talented. Hope he lets everybody know what he's doing with some kind of update somewhere, we're missing his breakfasts...

Well, that sucks about Melange, but he'll probably land on his feet, dude's talented. Hope he lets everybody know what he's doing with some kind of update somewhere, we're missing his breakfasts...

For sure, with him and James teaming up the Gigglez rebrand will probably be a hit.